Coffee machine drip catcher

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for collecting the drippings from a beverage dispenser or coffee dispenser having a spout wherein the spout protrudes over a container, the container being held in place by a flat support resting on a countertop, the support being held in place by the weight of the dispenser, which rests upon it.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Coffee is and will continue to be the beverage most used at public gatherings such as church socials, and business meetings. In today's world of high labor cost, more and more places that provide this drink will rely upon the user to serve himself or herself. Most coffee producing machines provide a spout that simply extends over the edge of the cabinet or shelf that supports the machine. A problem arises where hurried and sometimes clumsy users fail to operate the spout correctly causing coffee to be spilled on the floor of the facility. The present invention provides an apparatus to be used in eliminating this problem.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Other designs have been illustrated for the purpose of catching drippings from spigots, however these designs all lack the simplicity of design and portability that is needed in most instances where coffee machines and other such types of dispensers are used. The present invention was described in a provisional application for patent submitted by William D. Winder on Nov. 22, 2004.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The coffee drip catcher, as described herein, comprises generally a container for catching the drippings, which has a lower chamber smaller than the opening to the container so that a screen or grid can be supported by the top edges of the lower, smaller part of the container. The coffee or beverage cup is placed on the grid. In the preferred embodiment the upper part of the container is affixed to a flat plate, which rests on a counter top with the container hanging over the side. The machine dispensing the beverage is placed on the flat plate so that the entire apparatus is held in place. The person filling their cup therefore does not have to hold the cup and the drippings that may go astray fall into the container through the grid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. one is a top elevation view of the beverage machine drip catcher without the grid.

FIG. two is a top elevation view of the beverage machine drip catcher showing the grid.

FIG. three is a side elevation view of the beverage machine drip catcher.

FIG. four is a front elevation view of the beverage machine drip catcher.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings it can be seen that the beverage machine drip catcher comprises a rectangular container 1 affixed to a flat plate like sheet of material 2 so that container 1 will be supported by sheet 2 in a position hanging over the edge of a counter top. A beverage dispenser 3 sets upon plate 2 so that the weight of dispenser 3 holds plate 2 in place therefore suspending container 1 over the edge of the counter top. It can also be seen that container 1 further comprises a top chamber 4 and a bottom chamber 5. Bottom chamber 5 is slightly smaller that top chamber 4, thereby providing edges 6. A grid-like drinking container support 7 is placed upon edges 6 so that it is supported at the bottom of top chamber 4 and at the top of bottom chamber 5. The beverage dispenser 3 is so positioned so that spout 8 extends over container 1. Drinking container 9 is placed upon drinking container support 7. Both fluid overflowing drinking container 9 and drippings from spout 8 fall through drinking container support 7 and are contained by bottom chamber 5 of container 1. 

1. An apparatus for catching drippings from counter top beverage dispensers during and after said beverage is dispensed into a drinking container comprising; A. Means for securing said apparatus in position, B. Means for catching said drippings, and C. Means for supporting said drinking container, said means further comprising a flat, generally rectangular perforated surface.
 2. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said means for securing said apparatus in position further comprises a generally planer member, said member having a top side and a bottom side, said bottom side being positioned on said counter top, said beverage dispenser being positioned above an onto said top side wherein the weight of said beverage dispenser holds said apparatus for catching said drippings in place.
 3. An apparatus as described in claim 2, wherein said means for catching said drippings further comprises a generally rectangular container, said container further comprising a top, and a bottom, said top further comprising a forward edge, a back edge and two side edges, said back edge being positioned toward said beverage dispenser, said back edge being adjacent to and affixed to said means for securing said apparatus in position.
 4. An apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein said rectangular container further comprises a top chamber and a bottom chamber, each said chamber having four sides and a top parameter, said top parameter of said bottom chamber being smaller than said parameter of said top chamber, said bottom chamber further comprising a forward edge, a back edge and two side edges, said means for supporting said drinking container being supported by said edges. 